This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-49340584
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Hong Kong protests: Flights resume as airport authority restricts protests | Hong Kong protests: Flights resume as airport authority restricts protests |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Hong Kong airport has resumed operations after a night of chaos which saw protesters clash with riot police. | Hong Kong airport has resumed operations after a night of chaos which saw protesters clash with riot police. |
Hundreds of flights were cancelled on Tuesday after protesters flooded the terminal buildings. | Hundreds of flights were cancelled on Tuesday after protesters flooded the terminal buildings. |
Early on Wednesday flights appeared to be running as scheduled, though some still remained delayed or cancelled. | Early on Wednesday flights appeared to be running as scheduled, though some still remained delayed or cancelled. |
After days of disruptions, the Airport Authority said it had obtained a temporary injunction banning protesters from entering certain areas. | After days of disruptions, the Airport Authority said it had obtained a temporary injunction banning protesters from entering certain areas. |
It said in a statement that people would be "restrained from attending or participating in any demonstration or protest... in the airport other than in the area designated by the Airport Authority". | It said in a statement that people would be "restrained from attending or participating in any demonstration or protest... in the airport other than in the area designated by the Airport Authority". |
It comes as Hong Kong enters its tenth week of anti-government protests. | It comes as Hong Kong enters its tenth week of anti-government protests. |
What happened at the airport? | |
The airport, one of the world's busiest, has been the site of daily protests since last Friday but they had been mostly peaceful. | |
On Tuesday, protesters blocked travellers from accessing flights, using luggage trolleys to build barriers, and staging a mass sit-down. | |
Some protesters held signs apologising to passengers for the inconvenience caused by their demonstrations. | |
However, things escalated when one man was set upon by protesters reportedly because they thought he was an undercover police officer. | |
Police, wearing riot gear and brandishing truncheons, later arrived at the airport and clashed with protesters. | |
In one video posted to social media, a policeman is seen frantically drawing his gun at protesters after being attacked with his own truncheon. | In one video posted to social media, a policeman is seen frantically drawing his gun at protesters after being attacked with his own truncheon. |
Protesters had boxed him into a corner after prying the baton from his hands during a violent skirmish. After collapsing to the ground, the policeman was eventually dragged to safety by his fellow officers. | Protesters had boxed him into a corner after prying the baton from his hands during a violent skirmish. After collapsing to the ground, the policeman was eventually dragged to safety by his fellow officers. |
At least two other men, also suspected of being police officers, were later confronted by protesters. | |
Their actions come after Hong Kong police had on Monday admitted that disguised officers were being planted among anti-government protesters. | |
The editor of Chinese state media outlet the Global Times later said one of the men attacked was a reporter from the outlet. | |
What has the government said? | |
The Hong Kong government has condemned the violence at the airport, saying it would take action against those found responsible. | |
In a statement on Wednesday, it called the "violent acts... outrageous" and said that they had "overstepped the bottom line of a civilised society". | |
It added that the police would take "relentless enforcement action to bring the persons involved to justice". | |
Anti-government protests started in June in response to a proposed extradition bill, which has now been suspended, but have evolved into a more demanding pro-democracy movement. | Anti-government protests started in June in response to a proposed extradition bill, which has now been suspended, but have evolved into a more demanding pro-democracy movement. |
They are being fuelled by fears that the freedoms Hong Kong enjoys as a special administrative region of China are being eroded. | They are being fuelled by fears that the freedoms Hong Kong enjoys as a special administrative region of China are being eroded. |